New boss Rafael Benitez signals Everton changes

The time for whining should be finished for Everton supporters. New manager Rafael Benitez has already started planning to win games at Everton. If he does that and brings silverware to an Everton trophy case that hasn’t had a new one since 1995, he’ll find a spot in blue heaven.

Evertonians were shocked by the unexpected departure of Carlo Ancelotti in June and the Italian’s return to Real Madrid surely knocked the good ship of Everton off-course.

Numerous reports say Benitez is more hands-on in dealing with training. Ancelotti let his son, Davide, run a lot of Everton’s training.

Benitez’s list of trophies is impressive, but it’s the work he did while at Newcastle that could point to his success at Everton, according to the Liverpool Echo.

Rafael Benitez will bring a different style which he hopes will put Everton back on course to trophy land

Using xG, which is an abbreviation for Expected Goals which is a statistical analysis that uses a mathematical model to assign a value to every shot based on historic conversion rates for similar chances.

Theoretically, the data can be used to determine which team deserved to win, lose or draw. The article states using the xG, the Tynesiders deserved 76 points in their two Premier League seasons under Benitez, instead of the 89 they finished with.

Just seven points last season would have made a world of difference for the Blues. It would have given them 66 points, putting them ahead of West Ham and level on points with Leicester in fifth and earned European football.

Benitez’s Magpies also had a better shot on target ratio than the Toffees.

Everton has more talent than Newcastle, so Benitez should help coax better results for his new team. Benitez tends to seek balance in his team between defending and attacking.

Benitez had a metaphor he liked to use at Newcastle, according to The Athletic,

Talking about a small blanket, Benitez said:

"“If you cover your head, your feet are cold. If you cover your feet, your head is cold. Sometimes when you attack too much, you are exposed in defence and to find the balance is the key to have chances to win titles.”"

Basically, Benitez said changes in one area of the team create issues in others, and seeking balance is the key to understanding his approach, the article continued.

Benitez isn’t wedded to one formation and he must look forward to having a centre-forward like Dominic Calvert-Lewin as the central point in the attack.

In Calvert-Lewin, he has a player with power and pace and willingness to run the channels. As befitting a true Everton No. 9, he’s superb in the air. Richarlison melds skill and willingness to work along with pace.

Perhaps Benitez’s arrival will change Moise Kean’s mind and he’ll give the Toffees another option.

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During his time at Liverpool, Benitez liked quick throws from the goalkeeper to get on the attack. In Jordan Pickford, he’ll have a goalkeeper, who is comfortable on the ball and distributes it well.

Unlike Newcastle, Rafael Benitez will have the funds to improve the team. Reportedly, the Spaniard has dossiers and videos on players going back more than 20 years. Also, he has reportedly put together something similar on the current Everton squad.

There are definite needs for Everton, a right-sided midfielder who can cut in; a new right-back, more central midfielders and even a striker to back-up DCL, in case Kean decides to leave

Last season, Ancelotti seemed to play differently in the two halves of the season. Until December, the Toffees were a swashbuckling, attacking club. After December, the Merseysiders tried to turn into Scrooge and be miserly in defence. As a result, the club often seemed caught between both approaches and really mastered none.

Benitez will bring a more balanced approach and change is coming to Everton. It will be more subtle. However, subtle the change, Benitez won’t have much time to prove himself to the club supporters.

dark. Next. Rafa’s a shock to Everton fans, let’s give him a chance

What do you think, will Rafael Benitez succeed at Goodison Park?

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